A friend of mine attended one and found it incredibly helpful..they even walked through actual deals they've closed in the area.Don't overlook online resources either.

We have worked on improving the physical appearance and infrastructure of the park, updating the homes, getting a new sign, advertising it online, and creating a website (www.shadyacreshuntington.com).

Should I be visiting, asking neighbors questions, getting a feel for the neighborhood and home (in person rather than just off of online research) before buying or making offers? 

Should I proceed with the HELOC and refinancing strategy, or is there a better approach?

Follow steps like planning, financing, hiring contractors, managing property, marketing, refinancing, and working with advisors.

There's a lot of bad information available online and its not prudent to rely on most of what you read.

Some of the upgrades look great from the pictures I saw online.

Networking, whether in person or with online meetups, is the best way to meet new people, and find out who is active.

It sounds like you have a solid foundation with your real estate investments in Australia, and your strategy of buying in the right market cycle, renovating, and refinancing is a proven approach.

@Sam Peterson You can utilize different online companies (web, phone apps, etc.) for this but if you're new to REI you could gain traction by making your own.